bet365 Frodon Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 12.63s

Bowmore³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 137

12/1

Made a successful start over fences at Tipperary (17.3f) in July but hasn't managed to kick on from that effort, ninth of 12 on handicap chase debut at Leopardstown (17f, good to soft) on Boxing Day. Will need to find more as he goes up in trip.

Form: 30-13F9

Insurrection^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134| BF

5/1

Dual winner over hurdles who was a good second of 5 in listed novice at Chepstow on chasing debut in October. Excuses next time and back on track in handicap at Doncaster (20.5f, good to soft) 35 days ago, even though he did finish last of 3. Remains capable of better.

Form: 331-233

Asta La Pasta^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| BF| D

5/6

Three-time winner over hurdles and has improved sent chasing this season, making the most of a good opportunity at Carlisle (20f) in November. Has run well when placed both starts since, the winner from Kempton last time scoring again next start, and he holds leading claims.

Form: 10-3132

Breizh River³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: Paul Robson| OR: 131

22/1

Bright start to his chasing career, making it 3 wins from first 4 starts when scoring in handicap at Kelso (17.1f) in October. Found it tough in Grade 2 at Cheltenham before running no sort of race at this C&D last time, but he's not written off given his earlier promise.

Form: 11315P

Alien Storm⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 122| D

7/1

Bettered his hurdles form at the first attempt over fences when winning a Plumpton handicap (17f) in September and resumed winning ways back at the same course (19.8f, good to soft) in December. Respected given the encouraging start he's made in this discipline.

Form: 3-61331

Autumn Return⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 120| CD

12/1

Likeable hurdler who gained a second success in this sphere in a match at Newcastle (20.1f, good) in November. However, pulled up at Cheltenham (20.6f, good to soft) 50 days ago, so bounce back now called for.

Form: 38-151P

Choose A Copper^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 120| DWS

10/1

Took a step forward when making a winning return/chasing bow at Hexham (20.1f) in October. Has gone backwards from that effort in 2 starts since, though, not always fluent when fifth of 6 at Ayr (20.5f, soft) a month ago. Has had a breathing operation.

Form: 262-165

Forecasts

Asta La Pasta (5/6), Insurrection (5/1), Alien Storm (7/1), Choose A Copper (10/1), Bowmore (12/1), Autumn Return (12/1), Breizh River (22/1)

ASTA LA PASTA has made a good start over fences, beaten only by a next-time-out winner at Kempton on his latest outing despite having raced freely, so he is taken to double his tally in this sphere. Alien Storm has also taken well to chasing, winning twice at Plumpton this season, and could be the main danger, while Insurrection could yet do better.